Croatia boss Slaven Bilic says his players will need to play “the games of their lives” against defending European champions Spain tonight with top spot in Group C up for grabs at Euro 2012.

Croatia have the unenviable task of trying to halt the rampaging Roja, who hammered Ireland 4-0 at Arena Gdansk on Thursday.

A shock win over Spain will see Croatia qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners, while a draw could be enough depending on whether Italy beat Ireland in Poznan.

For Spain, the task is straight-forward: a draw means qualification and a win ensures first place.

Spanish confidence is high after their star-studded forwards battered the Irish using their 66 per cent of ball possession to produce 26 shots on goal, 20 of which were on target, and underdogs Croatia have their work cut out.

Bilic has admitted his players will need to produce something special to make the champions dance to Croatia’s tune, but his team showed plenty of pluck to hold Italy on Thursday.

“What I can say is that we will need to play the best game of our lives,” Bilic said.

“We drew 1-1 against Italy and we are still in a realistic position to go through and we have a chance. We need to remain confident,” added the 43-year-old, who steps down after the tournament to take over at Lokomotiv Moscow.

With two goals in Croatia’s 3-1 win over Ireland and the equaliser against Italy, unwanted Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic has left a good impression while defender Ivan Strinic also did well against the Italians.

But the 24-year-old can expect a busy evening trying to contain Spain’s stars whose coach Vicente del Bosque admitted he has a hard time leaving out top names who “don’t even know where the bench is”.

Having left Cesc Fabregas out and started Fernando Torres, both players ended up scoring against Ireland as the Chelsea man netted twice before making way for Fabregas.